Innovators: Ray Miller students awarded for ideas in national competition

Ray Miller students took part in national competition of science-based ideas

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By Taylor Muller/@TaylorMullerKDE

Kirksville Daily Express - Kirksville, MO

By Taylor Muller/@TaylorMullerKDE

Posted May. 1, 2013 at 11:25 AM
Updated May 1, 2013 at 11:30 AM

By Taylor Muller/@TaylorMullerKDE

Posted May. 1, 2013 at 11:25 AM
Updated May 1, 2013 at 11:30 AM

Kirksville

Students at Ray Miller Elementary are hatching some grand plans with science-based inventions earning the two groups of fourth- and fifth-graders honorable mentions in a national science competition.

The groups of students took part in the semester-long Exploravision science competition with a theme of “technology,” and went through the research, design and presentation of two inventions, one designed for next-generation communication and the other to help those with disabilities communicate.

The annual competition, hosted by the National Science Teachers Foundation, allows the young scientists to explore a topic, research and start to envision it coming to life.

“The idea is these types of projects don’t exist yet, but they will in 20 years,” said Lori Pinkston, Ray Miller science teacher.

The students, acting as their own research and development branch of the Ray Miller science program, created a prototype design for a wireless communication watch capable of transmitting holographic images for three-dimensional conversations. The second group created a portable device that would allow for hands-free communication for those with physical disabilities.

“Instead of touch, there’s an eye camera and in case the person is paralyzed they can look at it for touch,” said fifth-grader Allison Martin.

The second device, a wireless, holographic communication watch, came to the students after spending time Skyping on a laptop and decided to try and cut the cords as much as possible.

“It’s a watch that projects the holographic images of the person you’re Skyping with,” said fourth-grader Abby Reuschel.

The group didn’t like how current laptop Skyping requires a wireless Internet connection and a bulky computer.

And while consumers may have to wait 20 years until the Ray Miller crew gets their products out the door, the students are already planning for the litigation phase when another company steals their ideas.

“They were asking me, ‘What if they take my idea? What if they make money off my idea?” she said.